Many Mt. Hood National Forest cabin owners and potential buyers are familiar with the Cabin Fee Act. This has been a long term project in getting control of the escalating yearly permit fees charged by the Feds for a cabin owner to have their cabin on National Forest lands. Current permit fees are based on 5% of the appraised value of the land.
Higher land values over the past 20 years have caused these fees to escalate at a rapid rate causing many owners financial duress in keeping their cabins year after year. The current recession hasn't been kind as many cabin owners have been forced to sell due to higher fees.
The National Forest Cabin Fee Act has been presented to the legislature through the political action group called the Cabin Coalition 2. This act is an alternative to the current fee structure the forest service is operating under.
Updates on current action in the house and senate may be viewed here.
What is the Cabin Fee Act?
Recreation Residence Direction - FSH 2709.11 (09/17/2008)